Apparatus for operating excavating tools



G. E. BALDRY APPARATUS FOR OPERATING EXCAVATING TOOLS Filed Aug. 51. 1949 Dec. 23, 1952 2,622,847

2 SHEETSSHEET l hzvemor: George 5 Bold y,

6 mew L Dec. 23, 1952 G. E. BALDRY APPARATUS FOR OPERATING EXCAVATING TOOLS Filed Aug. 51. 1949 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Nzvea/or: Geo/"g6 25 50/093 Patented Dec. 23, 1952 APPARATUS FOR OPERATING EXCAVA'll'llNG TOOLS George E. Baldry, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Application August 31, 1949, Serial No. 113,466 1 2 Claims; 1

My invention relates to new and useful 1H1: provementsiin"excavating tool operating-"apparatus; an object of'my invention being to provide atdevice' -of the character herewithin described whereby-the excavating auger may be driven, fed downwardly and retracted upwardlyexpeditiously;

A further Object of my invention is to provide a device 'of'thecharacter herewithin described wherem' successive lengths of auger shafting may be'adde'd. and coupled directly to the device.

Another'o'bject of my invention is to provide a*devi'ce=' of-the character herewithin' described whereby-the rate of speed of the auger is directly controlled by theoperator the downward thrust being supplied directly from the crossh'eadi A still further object 'of 'my invention is to provide a device ofthecharacter herewithin described which' can'be angulated from the verticaliif required, in orde'rto obtain a direct thrust to-the auger shafting.

A-further object" of my invention is to provide a; device "of the character h'erewithin described which" permits rapid withdrawal'of the length of shafting from the excavation in order to facilitatethe removal of displaced soil.

A yetfurther object of my invention is to provide a'de'vice of the character herewithin described which'is particularly suitable for mounting upon the rear of a truck or trailer which can b'e-positionedadjacent the excavation and which furthermore-can be driven from a source of power mounted upon said truck or trailer.

A still further obj'ectof 'my'inventio'n'is to provide a device of the-character herewithin described which is relatively economical in manufacture, of heavy duty construction and 'otherwise well'suited for the purpose for'which it is designed."

Withthe foregoing objects in view and such otherobjects a-nd advantages as willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention-relates" as this specification proceeds, my invention consists essentially in the arrangementand "construction of parts all as hereinafter more particularly" described, reference being had tothe accompanying drawingsin which:

Fig: 1 is a rear end view 'of the apparatus per se.

Fig. 2'is a side elevation of Fig. 1' sectioned in part'to show the construction thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective fragmentary view of the open-centred through chuck.

Fig. -is asection viewed along the line 4 -4 cf Fig; 1;

Fig; 5 lissla sectionalI planlaview.'"of:.thesopern centred through. chuckper se.

Fig."6 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the need for continuous removal of the excavated soil. While relatively simple at the commence ment of the excavations," the length of anger shafting that has to be removed as the exacava tion deepens renders the operation." extremely laborious and time consuming.

The apparatus hereinafter to be described,'p'er' mits the rapid insertion and withdraw-ale! lengths of auger sha'fting as well as providing a device'which is self-contained andwh'ich may be driven directly to the site of the excava tions.

Proceeding now to describe my'invention in detail it will be seen upon reference to the ac companying drawings that I'have illustrated the apparatus collectively designated I mounted upon a supportingv structure 2 comprising, in thisembodiment, a pair of relatively hieavy'duty; longi= tudinally extending channels 3"situ'ated inJpa'rallel: spaced relationship and which may be securedupon the platform of a truck ortractor (not illustrated).

A pair of rectangular .plates' l are bolted'to the" extremities 5 of the channels 3 extending upwardly therefrom and between which the apparatus I is situated. This apparatus comprises an upstanding headframe 6 taking the form of a pair of spaced and parallel; inwardly'facing' channels 1 secured at the lower ends 8 thereof as by welding or the like to a rectangular platform or plate 9 which in turn is mounted upon and secured to a pair of relatively short channel bearers Ill.

The bearers it rest upon the upper flanges H of the aforementioned supporting channels 3 (when the apparatus is in the vertical position as illustrated) and are each providedwith lug plates I 2 which extend upwardly from the rear end thereof to be journalled upon a shaft l3spanning the aforementioned plates 4 adjacent the upper rear corners 4 thereof within suitable bearings IS.

A further shaft l6 spans the channel bearers l adjacent the forward ends |1 thereof with the extremities |8 engaging and extending through an arcuate slot l9 provided within each plate 4 as illustrated in Figure 2.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the headframe 6, mounted upon channel bearers I0, is capable of partial rotation in the direction of the arrow pivoting around shaft I3. In order to maintain the headframe at the desired inclination from the vertical, friction nuts 2| togetherwith washers 22 arescrew-threadably engageable with the extremities I8 of shaft |6 which may be tightened thereby locking the channel bearers In to the plates 4 adjacent the arcuate slot l9 therein.

Mounted between the channels 1 of the headframe 6 and upon the platform or plate 9 is an open centered through-chuck collectively designated 23. A bearing shoulder 24 upon platform 9 provides support for a rotary drive member 25 in the form of a crown wheel, upon the upper surface of which is bolted a circular plate 26. The chuck 23 also includes a set of four angle bearings 21 situated in concentric and annular relationship around a square aperture 28 provided within the drive member 25. Each angle bearing 21 consists of a pair of right angularly related, vertically disposed flanges 29 and 3!] Welded to plates 26 at the lower ends 3| thereof, said flanges converging towards aperture 28 and having the edges 32 lying parallel with the rotary axis of the drive member 25. The adjacent flanges 33 of adjacent angle bearings are interfacially spaced and parallel and provide support for pairs of shaft-centering rollers 34 journalled therebetween upon pins 35.

A cap-plate 36 spans the upper ends of the angle-bearings 23 and is apertured as at 31 in alignment with aperture 23 within the drive member 25.

Drive means to rotate the open centered through-chuck 23 is provided in the form of a worm gear 38 secured to the aforementioned shaft i3 and co-acting with the rotary drive member 25 which is provided with helical teeth 39. A spur gear 40 is secured to the extremity of shaft l3, external of plate 4, and is connected via a further spur gear 4| to a source of power (not illustrated) which may be mounted upon the truck or trailer body.

A tool driving head shaft 42 of square crosssection extends vertically through the aperture 28 within the rotary drive member 25 and through the aperture 31 within the cap 36, bearing support being provided by means of the aforementioned rollers 34 held within the angle bearings 23. The lower end of shaft 42 is provided with a squared socket 43 to which may be attached lengths of conventional auger-rod section 44 by means of the square heads 44 thereof which complement socket 43. The upper end 45 of the squared shaft 42 is cylindrical and is journalled for rotation within a thrust bearing 46 carried upon the underside of a crosshead collectively designated 41. The crosshead 41 consists of a beam 48 spanning the aforementioned vertical channels 1 of the upstanding headframe 6, being provided with channel-engaging end pieces 49 in the form of a pair of plates 50 which engage around the flanges 5| of the channels 1. In at least one of the claims appended hereto, I have defined the aforementioned vertical channels 1 as being spaced and parallel guides for the crosshead 41 which is capable of vertical sliding movement upon the guides and thereby being capable of applying endwise effort to the aforementioned tool-driving head shaft 42 which, as hereinbefore described, is slidably positioned in the open centred through chuck 23 and capable of rotation thereby due to the apertures 31 and 28 which complement the cross-section of shaft 42.

I have provided means for slidably moving the aforementioned crosshead 41 upon the guides or channels 1 in order to apply endwise effort to shaft 42, which takes the form of a counter-shaft 52 journalled to the crosshead 41 by means of pillow bearings 53 secured to plates 50 and having a pair of spaced sprocket wheels 54 secured thereto for rotation by shaft 52 and each being engageable with a vertically situated rack 55 which, in this embodiment, takes the form of a sprocket chain.

Sprocket chains 55, which are adjacent each guide or channel 1, extend between the aforementioned supporting platform or plate 9 and an overspanning member 56 situated across the upper ends of channels 1, the chains being secured by means of eye-bolts 51 so that they can be adjusted to the correct tension in order to provide an eflicicnt engaging surface to the aforementioned sprocket wheels 54, one of which is engageable with each chain. I have provided a hand wheel 58 keyed to the extremity 59 of the countershaft 52 in order that the operator can rotate the shaft thereby moving the crosshead 41 vertically up or down the guides 1.

The means and method of effecting the attachment and detachment of a set of interchangeable auger-rod sections 44 is best illustrated in Figs. 6, 1 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. In this context it is to be appreciated that the leading auger-rod section specifically designated 60 is attachable to a conventional excavating auger 6| and is provided with a centering attachment 62 situated medially along the length thereof and comprising a circular excavation-engaging ring 63 which maintains the excavation indicated by reference character 64 in alignment. Ring 63 is maintained around shaft 60 by means of a set of spokes one of which is shown at 65.

The interchangeable auger-rod sections 44 are each provided with a square of polygonal socket 43 upon one end thereof and a complementary polygonal head 44 upon the other. The aforementioned head 44' of adjacent sections is receivable within the corresponding socket 43 and the drive transferred thereby. In at least one of the claims appended hereto, I have defined a set of separable auger-rod sections as a jointed auger shaft and it is to be understood that this shaft may be lengthened or shortened as desired depending upon the depth of excavation.

In operation the aforementioned crosshead 41 is raised to the upper extremity of the chains or racks 55 whereupon the first or leading section 60 is attached to the lower end thereof which in turn is fitted with a polygonal or square socket portion 66. The chuck 23 is now rotated as hereinbefore described thereby rotating the auger 6| downwardly, the downward thrust being provided thereto by means of the crosshead 41 as hereinbefore described.

When the crosshead 41 reaches the lower end of its travel, the crosshead together with the head shaft 42 is retracted whereupon the next rod-section 44 is attached to the auger section 60 via the aforementioned socket and head connections 43 and M respectively whereupon the head shaft 42 is lowered into rotary engagement with the upper end of the rod-section by means of the crosshead 47.

When it is desired to withdraw the assembly from the excavation, I utilise a derrick 6'! which may be driven by the source of power (not illustrated) and is adapted to overspan the device as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 6. The cable 68 of the derrick 61 is attached by means of hook 69 to the aforementioned spokes 65 on the leading rod-section 60. The uppermost rod 44 is detached from the head shaft 42 whereupon the entire assembly is elevated by the derrick 6'! until the next successive length is positioned at ground level.

At this point the rod-section at ground level is separated by endwise manual effort whereupon the auger shaft is raised until the next length is conveniently positioned for removal.

From the foregoing it will be observed that rapid withdrawal and replacement of the auger shafting lengths may be made and, in conclusion, I desire to point out that the head frame 6 may be inclined from the vertical as hereinbefore described, in order that a direct thrust upon the auger shaft may be made if the excavation is inclined.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as hereinabove described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Apparatus for operating an excavating tool, comprising in combination an upstanding head frame, supporting structure for said head frame, said head frame including a pair of spaced parallel, inwardly facing channels forming guides, a base plate, and an upper cross member spanning said guides, a pair of channel bearers upon which said base plate is mounted, a pair of upstanding plates secured to said supporting structure, said plates being pivotally secured at their rear ends to said channel bearers, a crosshead slidable in said guides, an open centered through chuck rotatably mounted upon said base plate between said guides, drive means connected to said chuck for rotating the same, a source of power for operating said drive means, a tool driving head shaft of polygonal cross section slidably positioned in said chuck for rotation thereby, a thrust bearing on said crosshead to receive the upper end of said shaft, means for slidably moving said crosshead in said guides and thereby applying an endwise effort upon said shaft, said means consisting of a horizontal shaft journalled on said crosshead, sprocket wheels secured to said shaft adjacent to each guide for rotation by said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and an elongated sprocket chain secured Vertically adjacent to each of the said guides, said chains being secured at the upper ends thereof to said cross member and at the lower ends thereof to said base plate, one of said sprocket wheels being engageable with one of said sprocket chains, and the other of aid sprocket wheels being engageable with the other of said chains.

2. The device, according to claim 1, which includes means whereby the angle of inclination of said head frame may be selectively moved from the vertical, said means including a pair of arcuate slots formed within said plates, toward the front ends thereof, a horizontal shaft spanning said plates at the rear ends thereof, said channel bearers being journalled upon said shaft, a further horizontal shaft secured to said channel bearers transversely, said second mentioned shaft extending through said arcuate slot, nuts screw-threadably engageable upon the ends of said second mentioned shaft and bearing against said plate, whereby said shaft may selectively be locked in the desired position within said slots.

GEORGE E. BALDRY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 251,968 Tanner et al Jan. 3, 1882 280,585 Crawford July 3, 1883 642,587 Davis Feb. 6, 1900 652,428 Fischer June 26, 1900 993,903 Stott May 30, 1911 1,317,875 Hansen Oct. '7, 1919 1,656,456 Trout Jan. 17, 1928 2,215,047 Marshall Sept. 17, 1940 2,215,928 Hornbrook Sept. 24, 1940 2,312,814: Derrick Mar. 2, 1943 2,346,958 Abegg Apr. 18, 1944 

